VINO 100 toasts good-bye

After six years in the boutique retail wine business, VINO 100 of Valencia is closing at the end of July.“The current lease came to its natural end,” said marketing consultant Teresa Todd of Point of View Communications. “The landlord would only offer a five-year lease and that in this economic market that was too long a commitment.”Owners Lil Lepore and Shari Frazier announced the closing in a wine column they write by stating: “After six years of toil and tastings, Vino 100 Valencia will raise its glass for the very last time at the end of July.”The retail store, which has carried handcrafted wines from small, artisan vineyards since it opened in 2006, managed to survive and grow despite the grueling recession that hit shortly after the owners opened their store.But Lepore and Frazier said the closing of their dream business is not a result of the economy. It all came down to the lease negotiations, the owners said. Until the closing, VINO 100 will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the course of the month, the retailer is selling its entire inventory, including store fixtures, furniture and equipment. “In all the years I’ve known them and worked with them, they were more than happy to be here,” Todd said. “They love Santa Clarita, and the community really embraced them.”